Bill and coin changer

ABSTRACT

A machine for changing currency such as bills or coins of larger denomination for change in the form of coins of a lower denomination. When a bill is to be changed, a settable group of coin ejectors is operated. When a coin is to be exchanged, for example a 50-cent piece, other groupings of coin ejectors are operated in combinations which can be varied at the option of the machine service personnel.

United States Patent 1191 [111 3,768,616

Dykehouse et al. 1 Oct. 30, 1973 BILL AND COIN CHANGER [56] ReferencesCited [75] Inventors: David B. Dykehouse, Muskegon; UNITED STATESPATENTS iv G. kk Norman J- 2,282,269 5 1942 Tone 194 10 Zoodsma, both ofGrand Rapids, 2,805,675 9/1957 Noyes.. 133/2 all of Mich, 3,080,0353/1963 Diaz l94/4 E [73] Assignee: Rowe International, Inc.,

whippany NJv Primary ExaminerSamuel F. Coleman Attamey-Shenier andOConnor [22] Filed: Sept. 17, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 181,586 AB RA T RelatedUS. Application Data [62] Division of Sen No. 887,063, Dec 22 1969 PatNo. A machine for changing currency such as bills or coms of largerdenomination for change in the form of coins of a lower denomination.When a bill is to be changed, 52 as. C] 194/4 R a semble gmup elem iswarmed when a 51 1111.01. 0071 1/06 is be exchanged example a sown Piece[58] Field of Search 194/4, 10; 133/2 gmulings elem are in binationswhich can be varied at the option of the machine service personnel.

3 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDncI 30 I973 SHEET 2 BF 4 4 H m I. I

4 9 4, i] Slv U w 3 M m a I: 0 6. Z 9 21' 0000000000000000 a In 4 uOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO w 4 5 BILL AND COIN CHANGER This application is adivision of our copending application Ser. No. 887,063, filed Dec. 22,1969, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,690,332, issued Sept. 12, 1972.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Machines for changing bills and coins asshown by the prior art generally provide fixed combinations of coinejection tubes, with a full back and forth cycle necessary for eachdispensing operation. Such machines have a low storage capacity andgenerally a slower operating cycle time.

A different approach to the dispensing of change is shown by US. Pat.No. 3,366,127, issued on Jan. 30, 1968, to Charles T. Breitenstein etal. In the Breitenstein patent, a high storage capacity changer isprovided in which one fourth of a complete slide reciprocatory cycleonly is required for each dispensing operation. Each coin dispensingslide remains in the position to which it has moved during the lastoperation. Certain dispensing slides may be operated simultaneously toprovide a multiplicity of different output conditions in the dispensingof change.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a machine forexchanging coins for currency such as bills or coins, and whosedispensing system has a number of improvements over the dispensingmechanism shown by the Breitenstein patent. The present machine utilizesin its dispensing operations a dual bank of coin tubes providing largecapacity storage. The bank of coin tubes may readily be dropped intoplace for operation and may be readily removed as a unit. Removal of theunit is sensed to inactivate acceptance of further currency.

It is therefore an object of our invention to provide a-new and animproved Bill and Coin Changer.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved currencychanger which allows the output of coins for various currency inputs tobe changed readily.

It is a further object of our invention to provide a currency changerwhich permits ready removal and replacement of the coin tubes.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a currencychanger which responds to malfunction and in response thereto rendersitself inoperative.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view in perspectiveof a machine embodying our invention, one corner of the cabinet beingbroken away to show the interior thereof;

FIG. 2 is a front view in perspective of the mecha nism embodying theinvention with a coin magazine shown separated from the dispensingmechanism;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the dispensing mechanism taken along line3-3 of FIG. 2 with the components thereof operatively joined;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a sample pair of coin tubes and theirslide and dispensing plate, the components being shown in exploded formbelow the tubes;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the machine with the front service doorin the fully open position;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the door check structure of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view in exploded form of the major elements of the doorcheck structure of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic circuit drawing of one form of electrical circuitwhich may be used with our bill and coin changing machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1 there is shown theexterior of the Coin and Bill Changer l0 embodying our invention. Thechanger 10 has an exterior cabinet 12 of rectangular configurationforming a decorative housing in addition to safe guarding the changercontents which may total 5 hundred dollars to 1 thousand dollars at anyone time. The machine may be mounted in a number of ways, none of whichhas been shown. These include mounting on a pedestal or stand or,optionally, the cabinet may be wall mounted.

The front wall 14 of the cabinet 12 has an upper control area with abill inlet opening 16 and a coin insert slot 18 to allow bills or largerdenomination coins to be inserted and tested. The bill inlet opening 16may feed a Bill Detector or Acceptor of the type shown in copending US.Pat. application 633,903, filed Apr. 26, 1967 by Donald Hooker, the billacceptor being shown herein schematically in FIG. 8. The coin insertslot 18 may pass coins to a conventional multi-denominational cointesting and validating mechanism of any standard type known to the art,(not shown herein). Such accepting mechanisms are well known in the art,and as is generally known, provide an output in the form of a switchpulse designating the value of the coin accepted.

The machine front wall 14 has below the control area and recessedtherefrom a vertical panel 24, which with the control area, forms aservice door 26 pivotal about a hinge axis 28 along the top front edgeof the cabinet 12. Below service door 26 and spaced therefrom adjacentthe cabinet base 30 is a convenience shelf 32. The shelf 32 has arecessed coin tray 34 partially covered by the panel 24 of the wall 14and partially accessible from the exterior of the machine. Dependingfrom panel 24 and covering the vertical extent of the opening providedby recessed tray 34 is a small semi-circular door 38 movable about ahorizontal axis at its upper edge. The door 38 is pivotal such that itscurved lower portion moves freely forward on being struck by coinsdispensed from inside the machine and allows these coins to enter thetray 34. Blocking shoulders (not shown) are provided to the rear of door38 to prevent inward movement of the door thereby deterring improperaccess to the cabinet interior. Various indicator lamps have beenprovided, a first lamp 40 to show that no further change is availablefor dollar bills and a second lamp 42 to indicate the unavailability ofchange for coins.

A coin return button 44 is provided adjacent the insert openings toallow an optional return of coins or the bill, if desired by the user.Naturally such button must be actuated prior to the acceptance of theinserted money in order to return the bill or coin, since the changingoperation occurs automatically on acceptance. Coins returned in thismanner or coins rejected by the coin validator pass through the coinreturn chute and tray 46 located below the coin insertion area.

In FIG. 1, there can be seen a bank of coin tubes 50 positioned withinthe coin tube assembly 51 located generally above and behind therecessed coin tray 34. In FIG. 2, we show the bank of coin tubes 50mounted in a carrying holder 52, the holder being of generally U-shapedconfiguration with base plate 54 and side uprights 56. Extendingnormally downwardly from the front of base 54 are flanges 58 andprotruding normally outwardly from uprights 56 are mounting lugs 60. Topand side brackets 62 hold the tubes fixedly in alignment with oneanother with respect to carrying holder 52 to form te assembly 51.

The coin tube assembly 51 seats cooperatively on dispensing motorhousing 70 (FIG. 2). Housing 70 is rigidly affixed to cabinet base 30within the enclosure cabinet 12 as can be seen best in FIG. 5. Housing70 is comprised of side housing walls 72 supported mutually in parallelrelationship by transverse top bracing plate 74, transverse tie rod 76and coin chute 78. Affixed suitably to the underside of bracing plate 74(as seen best in FIG. 3), are three dispensing motors 80, 82 and 84 eachdisposed with its output shaft (not shown) extending upwardly. Theoutput shaft of each motor is connected to provide the input to a speedreducing gear box 88 to reduce the rotary speed of each motor output.Each gear box 88 rotates an eccentric 89, each eccentric having itsrespective crank pin 90, 92, and 94 extending upwardly to' protrudethrough laterally slotted openings 100, 102 and 104 in the respectivereciprocating driving slides 110, 112 and 114. These driving slides arechannel members with the channel web disposed downwardly. The drivingslides are individually reciprocated by the eccentric movementof therespective crank pins 90, 92 and 94. The slides are restrained andguided within a forward to rear path by the mating of inwardly facingbosses 116 on the respective stationary bracing members 120 withinhorizontal slots 118 in each slide side wall. Bracing members 120 arestationarily secured to the top plate of motor housing 70 in a suitablefashion to provide structural guiding members for the respective slides.

Each slide has mounted on its front end a coupler, the couplers beingnumbered 320, 322 and 324. Each coupler has equally spaced apart holesfor receiving screws 123 which are tightened into suitably threadedopenings in the driving slides. Each coupler has an upwardly open,lateral channel 122 at its front end, the channels 122 beingtransmissive of the reciprocatory movement of the driving motors, aswill be explained.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, coin tubes 50 are aligned in pairs oftubes in a forward-to-rear sense, the tubes of a pair being of the samediameter for holding coins of the same denomination. Laterally there areten pairs of tubes mounted in assembly 51. Each coin tube pair has anindividual coin tube base 130 with two upstanding annuli 132, eachannulus is of sufficient height to carry therein a tube of the pair.Each annulus is sized to receive a coin tube with the bottom of theannulus and tube open. Secured slideably to the underside of each cointube base is a coin dispensing slide 134, the slide serving the twotubes in the front-to-rear lineup on base 130. Each coin slide 134 hasextending through it two overlapping coin-sized openings 136 in itsslide face and rearwardly thereof longitudinally elongate mounting slots138. Mounting pins 139 in the coin tube base 130 ride within the slots138 to join the slide 134 to the tube base. The slide face is formedwith upstanding flanged guide rails 140 along both sides and at its rearedge with a downwardly projecting coupling finger 142. Finger 142 ofeach coin tube pair rides in open channel 122 of the adjacent motorslide coupler when the coin tube assembly 51 is mounted on the motorhousing to thereby couple the coin dispensers to the coin tubes.

Each coin slide 134 rests between the coin tube base and assembly base54 and, as mentioned, is slideable in a forward-to-rear horizontalplane. Within each assembly base 54 midway between the front and reartubes, there is a single coin dispensing opening 144 for passing a cointherefrom to the output coin chute 78, the assembly base 54 therebyacting as a coin dispensing slide keeper 146.

The lateral width of the respective channels 122 of the coupler controlsthe number of dispensing slides which can be operated by each dispensingmotor. Shown are coupler 320 on driving slide for four coin dispensingslides, coupler 322 on driving slide for three coin dispensing slidesand coupler 324 on driving slide for three coin dispensing slidesrespectively. By replacing the couplers shown with couplers of differentwidths, other coin combinations are possible, as will be described. Suchreplacenent can be effected by removing the mounting screws 123 andreaffixing couplers of the desired width to the respective slides. Whena coin tube assembly 51 is placed on the dispensing motor housing,mounting lugs 60 mate within receiving cutouts in housing side walls 72and this mating alignment allows each mating finger 142 to mate with therespective channel 122 of its coupler. On side walls 72 adjacent cutouts150, there are mounted miniature snap switches 152, 154 and 156 to sensethe presence or absence of the coin tube assembly 51.

In FIGS. 5 through 7 we show a door check mechanism 160 for positivelyretaining the service door 26 in the open position during servicing. Asmentioned previously, service door 26 is opened upwardly about aconventional hinge on the axis 28 along the top of the door. It istherefore important that the door be kept open during servicing andprevented from inadvertent closure which could cause possible physicalharm to the Serviceman.

Door check mechanism 160 includes two telescoping.

slider bars 162 and 164. Lower bar 162 is affixed pivotally to asuitable cabinet bracket 166 by means of a mounting bracket 168. Upperbar 164 is pivotally secured to the door through a suitable mounting170. The bars 162 and 164 are held adjacent one another by upper andlower clips 172, the clips allowing relative linear sliding movement ofthe bars with respect to one another. The bars have similarly shapednotches 174 and 176 which reach alignment with the door fully open.Pinned to upper bar 164 adjacent the notch 176 is a release latch 178which nests in the aligned notches 174 and 176 with the notches aligned.A torsion spring 180 holds the latch 178 with its latch tip 182 in thealigned notches to hold the mechanism fully extended and thereby latchthe service door in its open position. To release the latch 178,pressure is exerted on the outer finger 184 of the latch to pivot latchtop 182 out of the notches and to allow the slide bars to slideablytelescope while the service door is being closed.

When the service door is being opened, the slide bars slide relative toanother until the notches are in alignment at which time under theurging of spring 180, latch tip 182 falls into the aligned notches.

Turning to FIG. 3, there we show the respective dispensing motors 80, 82and 84, each with its cam structure and each with its cam operatedswitches generally indicated by numeral 192. Each full cycle of motoroperation causes one half revolution of cam 190, each cycle causingeither forward or backward movement of the slide between forward oralternate position and rear or home positions of the coin slides.

In FIG. 8 we show the circuitry to operate the changer. The circuit ispowered by 120-volt AC leads L1 and L2 in the motor operating circuitand derived therefrom a 30-volt direct current from leads D1 and ground(G), and rectified DC on lead L3 for pulsing lamps 40 and 42. Aspreviously mentioned, each dispensing motor 80, 82 and 84 has three camswitches generally indicated as 192 on FIG. 3. These cam switchesinclude a first set of cam switches 200, 202, and 204, one on thestructure of and sensing the cycling of each motor 80, 82 and 84. Theseswitches perform the function of carrying the motors through one cycle(one half revolution of the cams 190) and opening the circuits to therespective motors at the end of the dispensing cycle of the motors. Asecond set of cam switches 210, 212 and 214 serves to perform anautomatic homing function for their motor output mechanisms ascontrolled by homing switch 152. The latter cam switches close once foreach full revolution of cams 190; hence, they close once for each twomotor cycles of operation. The home position of these switches occurswhen the respective motor slide is in the rear position of the twopossible at-rest positions.

The other respective motor cam switches 220, 222 and 224 are normallyclosed and are mutually in series such that when one opens, it releasesthe operating circuit to the control relays. The cam switches 220, 222and 224 open near the end of each cycle of operation of their respectivemotors 80, 82 and 84.

To control the operation of the circuit, there are provided respectivemotor control relays 230, 232, and 234 for operating the rspectivedispensing motor 80, 82 and 84. Each relay has two normally open contactsets, one for holding the relay operated (230.2, 232.2 and 234.2) and aset of contacts (230.1, 232.1 and 234.1) for operating the respectivedispensing motors. A timer relay 240 with one make-break contact set 242acts in conjunction with a solid state timer circuit 244 to protect themachine against overlong machine operative cycles. A latch relay 250 iscontrolled by contact set 242. This relay 250 is electrically actuatedand once actuated must be mechanically reset within the interior of themachine cabinet. The latch relay 250 controls three sets of contacts252, 254 and 256. Contact set 252 is normally closed and on actuation ofrelay 250, the contact set opens to disconnect the 120 volt sourcecurrent on AC source lead Ll from the circuit. A second contact set 254,normally closed, interrupts the circuit to latch relay set 250 whenopened, resets the solid state timer 244 and the third contact set 256closes to energize the trouble lamps 40 and 42.

To provide an option as to which motors are to be operated for differentinput amounts, there are provided the dollar select switch 79 and the 50cent select swich 260. Switch 79 has three contacts, a first which isconnected in parallel through rectifiers to motors 230 and 234 to permitoperation of motors 80 and 84. Position 2 is connected through arectifier to relay 230 alone, and position 3 is connected to relay 234alone. Circuits through the contacts of switch 79 are in parallel to acircuit to relay 232, so that relay 232 will be operated on all dollarbill change dispensing cycles regardless of which combination of coinpayouts is used. Thus,

motor 82 and center slide 112 must be actuated for all dollar changedispensing cycles and the combination with other motor or motors and 84and their respective couplers and 114 are dependent on the setting ofswitch 79.

Switch 260 provides an option as to whether relay 230 and its motor 80alone shall be operated (switch position 2) or both 230 and 234 inparallel, the premise being that either a combination of the left andright motor 80 and 84 or only one motor 80 may be operated to providechange for a 50 CENT piece at the option of the service personnel.

In addition, the circuit has a bill reject switch 262, operated inresponse to the coin reject button. The area designated in dashed linesas 270 schematically represents the coin testing mechanism and includesa 50 cent validating switch 272, a 25 cent validating swich 274, and acoin lockout solenoid 276. Coin empty switch 280 responds to an emptycondition of the coin tubes to indicate that the coins stored areinsufficient to provide change for coin insertions and switch 282responds to an empty condition of tubes to indicate that insufficientchange is available for dollar insertions. Each empty switch 260 and 282has associated therewith a manual switch shown as 283 and 284, so thateach empty switch may light both lamps or its own, as necessary. Thedollar bill acceptor shown as box 285 provides an indication to thecircuit in the form of an output pulse on lead 286. This pulse transmitsinformation that a dollar bill has been tested, found valid, acceptedand removed to storage so that l dollars worth of change may safely bepaid out. A conventional, manual actuatable test switch 288 is provided,as is a circuit operation counter 290. Two separate transistoramplifiers are provided, both two-stage networks. A first amplifier 292amplifies the bill acceptance signal on lead 286 to trigger a machinecycle, while the second amplifier 294 amplifies a trouble signal orsignal indicating empty coin tubes to actuate the coin mechanism lockoutsolenoid 276.

As explained previously, three dispensing motors are provided, 80, 82and 84. Each motor on operation dispenses simultaneously through thedispensing slides certain of the bank of coin tubes 50. The number ofcoin dispensing slides actuated by each motor may be varied by changingthe couplers to ones of desired width to dispense from the coin tubes tobe operated by each motor. v

To provide change for a quarter, half dollar or dollar using a storagemedium of 10 coin tubes, the following tube operating combinations havebeen found to be quite acceptable.

In a first arrangement, one coin tube pair, the fourth from the left (D)is not used. The tubes have the following change:

II I J Dollar payout in this instance will use only motors 80 and 82.Motor 80 will dispense a coin from each tube A-D and motor 82 from tubesE-F. This payout totals three quarters, two dimes and a nickel. For a 50cent payout, motor 80 alone will be operated to dispense from tubes A-Done quarter, two dimes and one nickel. Quarter payout will causeoperation of motor 84 and tubes G-J to emit one dime and three nickels.Switches 79 (dollar) and 260 (50 cents) are set to their No. 2 positionto produce this combination, and indicator switches 283 and 284 are setto the left in FIG. 8.

Other combinations are possible as can readily be seen, it only beingrequired by the wiring shown that center motor 82 be operated onresponses to a dollar insertion and motor 84 for all quarter insertions.

Now, turning to the method of operation of the invention utilizing thecircuit of FIG. 8, we assume the setting combination first describedwith switches 79 and 260 both at their No. 1 position, as shown in FIG.8.

Insertion of a valid dollar bill into dollar inlet 16 sill cause thebill to pass to the bill acceptor and be accepted by the bill acceptor285. The bill will pass to a storage chamber (not shown herein) and willbe stored there. Acceptor 285 will emit a positive pulse on lead 286,which will reach the base of the left transistor in the transistoramplifier 292. This amplifier will conduct, will cause the othertransistor to conduct, and will cause relay 232 to be energized. Relay232 on energization closed its contacts 232.1 and 232.2. At contacts232.2, there is now closed an enabling path for relays 230 and 234,through closed motor cam switches 220, 222 and 224 to ground lead G.With switch 70 at its No. 1 position, relays 230 and 234 are energizedthrough closed contacts of switch -79 and the previously describedenabling path through contacts 232.2.

Relay contacts 230.1, 232.1 and 234.1 close and complete operating pathsfor motors 80, 82 and 84 between leads LI and L2. At contacts 230.2,232.2 and 234.4, self-holding paths for relays 230, 232 and 234 areclosed through the previously described enabling path.

Closure of contacts 230.1, 232.1 and 234.1 close a path to relay 240between leads L1 and L2. Relay 240 operates and switches its contacts242. Contacts 242, on switching over, remove ground from the R-C timingnetwork 244 to permit the network to start timing, and place ground onlead 301 to actuate counter 290 through a one-count cycle. Ground onconductor 301 causes amplifier 294 to stop conducting and cause normallyoperated solenoid 276 to release. This solenoid when released divertsinserted coins to coin return tray 46. Motors 80, 82 and 84 onceoperated enter into their operating cycles to dispense coins from eachtube and close their respective cam switches 200, 202, and 204 toprovide an alternate hold path for the motors and for relay 240, thehold paths being obvious paths between power leads L1 and L2.

The functional cycle of a motor begins with one coin slide opening ofthe connected double opening 136 beneath a coin tube and the otheropening over the dispensing opening 144 of the coin slide keeper 146.For example, ifa driving slide 110, 112 or 114 is in the forwardposition at the start of its cycle, the coin dispensing slides 134coupled thereto have their forwardmost opening 136.1 under the fronttube of the pair with the rear opening 136.2 positioned over dispensingopening 144. A coin within 136.] will be pushed rearwardly during themotor operative cycle until forward opening 136.1 is over single opening144, at which time the coin from 136.1 will fall into coin chute 78 andthe rear opening 136.2 will then be below the rear coin tube of the tubepair. At this position, functionally the cycle has been completed.Simultaneously, each coin dispensing slide to which each driven motor iscoupled has emitted its single coin. As the end of the dispensing cyclenears, cycle switches 220, 222 and 224 open to open the hold circuit tothe operated relays 230, 232 and 234. These relays release and opentheir contacts 230.1, 232.1, 234.1, 230.2, 232.2 and 234.2. The originaloperating paths to both the relays 230, 232 and 234 and to the motorsare opened. The motors continue through their cycles through their ownalternate hold paths at contcts 200, 202 and 204.

As the motors 80, 82 and 84 reach the end of their operative cycles, camswitches 200, 202 and 204 open to terminate the cycle and release relay240 and counter 290. The timer 244 is restored by release of contact set242 of relay 240 and the changer is then in condition to accept otherbills or coins for changing.

In the circuit, as described, for normal operation, operated motors, ofcourse, restore after each cycle. If for some reason the motor cycledoes not end within a predetermined time period, (approximately l.3 to1.5 times the normal cycle period), timer 244 will emit an outputsignal. Timer 244 is a conventional timing circuit utilizing aunijunction transistor 304 to respond to the R-C timing to trigger SCR306 and thereby energize relay 250. Energization of relay 250 openscontacts 252, 254 and closes contacts 256. Contacts 252 on opening openconductor L1 and remove volt power from the dispensing motors 80, 82 and84 and relay 240. Opening of contacts 254 open the circuit to relay 250.Contacts 256 on closure connect ground to trouble lights 40 and 42 whosecircuit is completed to lead L3, a rectified low voltage AC sourcecausing there lamps to flicker. A ground pulse through contact 256passes through diode D4 to end conduction of transistor combintion 294,thereby deenergizing solenoid 276 and causing rejection of coinsinserted. This ground is also closed through diode D1 to conductor 308to reject all bills inserted.

Relay 240 on being deenergized restores its contacts 242 to reset thetimer 244 anddiscontinue timing.

Relay 250 is of the type which, once electrically pulsed, operatesmechanically, latches itself operated, and must be manually reset bypersonnel having access to the machine interior, personnel such asmachine servicemen.

In response to the normal insertion and acceptance of a valid 50 centpiece, coin switch 272 closes. With switch 260 in its No. 1 position, acircuit is completed from ground on lead G, closed contacts 262 and 272to relays 230 and 234 and lead D1. Relays 230 and 234 are energized,closing their contacts 230.1, 230.2 and 234.1 and 234.2. Closure ofthese contacts initiates a cycle similar to the cycle previouslydescribed for 1 dollar payout, except that motor 82 is not energized.The payout from motors 80 and 84 dispenses three dimes and four nickels.The timing circuit functions as described previously in that theoperative cycle length for the dispensing motors does not differ.

Similarly when a quarter is inserted into the machine, tested, validatedand accepted, switch 274 closes to complete a circuit to relay 234. Thisrelay controls the operation of motor 84 to pay out a dime and threenickels during a machine operation cycle.

A number of added safeguards have been provided including thefunctioning of tube assembly controlled switches 152, 154 and 156.Switch 154 is normally closed, and switches 152 and 156 are normallyopen, the normal condition being with the coin tube assembly 51 in placeon the dispensing motor housing 70.

When the coin tube assembly is removed, switch 154 opens to deenergizethe timer relay 240 so that no trouble timing can occur. Switch 156closes to connect ground from lead G to empty lamps 40 and 42. Theselamps are connected to lead L3 which provides a 9 volt AC supply. Inthis way, lamps 40 and 42 are pulsed with a flickering pulsation which,it has been found, is more noticeable than steadily lighted lamps.Ground through switch 156 and Diode D1 is closed to lead 308 toinactivate the bill acceptor 285. Ground through switch 156 istransmitted to the base of the right transistor of combination 294 toshut off conduction of the transistor combination and to deenergizesolenoid 276. Deenergization of solenoid 276 rejects all inserted coins.

When switch 152 closes its contacts, it causes any dispensing motor 80,82 or 84 which is not in the rear slide position to sequence itselfhome. With a motor in its forward position, its contacts 210, 212, or214 will be closed. If it is assumed that only motors 80 and 84 are inthe forward position, a circuit will be closed from lead L2 throughswitch 152, and closed contacts 210 to motor 80. Motor 80 will cycleitself until contacts 210 open at which time the motor operating path isopened. This path through contacts 210, switch 152 and the then opencontacts 212 (motor 82 being assumed to be at home) is closed tocontacts 214 and motor 34. Motor 84 will cycle itself to its homeposition at which time contacts 214 open to render closed contacts 152ineffective.

This homing feature assures that all motors will be aligned in theirhome position, such that a coin tube assembly can be placed on the motorhousing without the need for any adjustments or manipulation of themotors or coin tube assemblies.

It can further be seen that closure of either or both empty switches 280and 282 will in the manner previously mentioned connect ground lead G toone or both of these lamps 40 and 42 to flicker. Further, the groundwill also be connected to diodes D1 and/or D2, D3 and- /or D4 to disablecoin solenoid 276 and the bill insertion over conductor 308.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of ourclaims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made indetails within the scope of our claims without departing from the spiritof our invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that our inventionis not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim l. A currencychanging machine including in combination, a source of power, a sourceof control potential, means including a motor adapted to be energized todeliver coins on each cycle of operation thereof, means including afirst normally open switch and a first normally closed switch forconnecting said motor to said source of power, a control relay winding,means including a second normally open switch and a second normallyclosed switch for connecting said means winding to said source ofcontrol potential, currency accepting meqns for producing a signal inresponse to insertion of a valid bill therein, means responsive to saidsignal for closing said second normally open switch, means responsive toenergization of said relay winding for closing said first normally openswitch, means responsive to operation of said motor for opening saidsecond normally closed switch at the completion of a cycle of operationof said motor, timing means having a cycle of operation which is longerthan said motor cycle, and shorter than twice said motor cycle, meansresponsive to energization of said relay winding for energizing saidtiming means, and means responsive to the completion of a cycle ofoperation of said timing means for opening said first normally closedswitch to deenergize said motor to prevent recycling thereof in theevent of failure of said motor responsive means to open said secondnormally closed switch.

2. A currency charging machine as in claim I including means responsiveto completion ota cycle of operation of said timing means for disablingsaid currency accepting means.

3. A currency changing machine as in claim 1 in which saidcoindelivering means comprises a coin tube assembly, a support for saidcoin tube assembly, and means responsive to the absence of said assemblyon said support for disabling said bill accepting means.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION October 30, 1973Patent No. 7 Dated David B. Dykehouse, Oliver G. Okkonen, Inventor(s)and Norman J. Zoodsma It is certifiedthat error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Column 10, line 29, "means" should read relay line 31, 'meqns'f shouldread means Signed and sealed this 2nd day of April 197E.

(SEAL) At test EDI'IARD I-I.FLETGHER,JR. C. MARSHALL DANN AttestingOfficer Commissioner of Patents FORM PC4050 (10459) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69g .5. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE; '99 0 366-334.

1. A currency changing machine including in combination, a source ofpower, a source of control potential, means including a motor adapted tobe energized to deliver coins on each cycle of operation thereof, meansincluding a first normally open switch and a first normally closedswitch for connecting said motor to said source of power, a controlrelay winding, means including a second normally open switch and asecond normally closed switch for connecting said relay winding to saidsource of control potential, currency accepting means for producing asignal in response to insertion of a valid bill therein, meansresponsive to said signal for closing said second normally open switch,means responsive to energization of said relay winding for closing saidfirst normally open switch, means responsive to operation of said motorfor opening said second normally closed switch at the completion of acycle of operation of said motor, timing means having a cycle ofoperation which is longer than said motor cycle, and shorter than twicesaid motor cycle, means responsive to energization of said relay windingfor energizing said timing means, and means responsive to the completionof a cycle of operation of said timing means for opening said firstnormally closed switch to deenergize said motor to prevent recyclingthereof in the event of failure of said motor responsive means to opensaid second normally closed switch.
 2. A currency charging machine as inclaim 1 including means responsive to completion of a cycle of operationof said timing means for disabling said currency accepting means.
 3. Acurrency changing machine as in claim 1 in which said coin deliveringmeans comprises a coin tube assembly, a support for said coin tubeassembly, and means responsive to the absence of said assembly on saidsupport for disabling said bill accepting means.